Thank you for your interest in pursuing graduate studies in history. Before you begin your application, please take a moment to review the information below. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of History's director of graduate studies.
Application Deadlines
- Jan. 15: For M.A. and Ph.D. applicants seeking departmental funding (graduate assistantships)
- March 1: For M.A. and Ph.D. applicants not seeking funding
- Oct. 1: M.A. applicants only for spring semester admission (international applicants)
- Nov. 1: M.A. applicants only for spring semester admission (domestic applicants)
Application Materials
The Graduate School manages your entire application online, which comprises several parts. Please ensure that your application is completed by the deadline to be considered for the history graduate committee's review.
Application Process
- To be considered for admission to our history graduate program, you must submit a formal application to the Graduate School.
- Your application will be evaluated by both the Graduate School and the Department of History. Admission and assistantship decisions are made by the department.
- Admission considerations include grades in relevant subjects, letters of recommendation from history faculty, language skills, your application essay and a writing sample.
- Ph.D. applicants will also be evaluated based on proposed fields of study and potential dissertation areas. Faculty expertise plays a key role in this assessment.
- Students with a bachelor's degree will be considered for the master's program, while those with a master's degree in history will be considered for the doctoral program.
Transcripts (Undergraduate and, if Appropriate, Graduate)
- We generally seek an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and a GPA in undergraduate history courses of 3.25 or higher.
- For applicants with lower GPAs, we consider evidence of improvement in the final two years of undergraduate study. Strong grades in courses taken as an NIU graduate student-at-large can also help offset a lower GPA.
Letters of Recommendation
- Two letters are required for the M.A. program and three for the Ph.D. program.
- Letters should come from professors or professionals who can speak to your academic work in history.
- We understand it may be difficult to obtain letters if you completed your undergraduate studies some time ago. In that case, choose someone who can assess your academic abilities, achievements or potential in the field of history.
Application Essay/Career Goal Statement
- Your statement should be 500 to 750 words and address your readiness for graduate work in history, your historical interests, relevant life experiences and reasons for pursuing graduate studies in history.
- Specify your chosen field of history and your preparation in that area.
- Include any language training and your proficiency in reading, writing and speaking each language.
Writing Sample
- Both M.A. and Ph.D. applicants must submit a writing sample.
- This should ideally be a research paper from an upper-level undergraduate or graduate history course or a thesis. If not available, submit a paper that best reflects your analytical and intellectual abilities.
- Include a copy or description of the assignment, if possible.
Graduate Assistantships
- Graduate teaching assistantships are our primary form of financial aid. These are competitive, with more applicants than available positions.
- Admission and assistantship decisions are made separately, with admission decisions made first.
- Funding decisions are made once each spring for the upcoming academic year.
- Applicants who apply by the Jan. 15 deadline are automatically considered for a graduate assistantship.
We appreciate your interest and look forward to your application. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.